Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has urged fans to remain patient as he bids to improve his squad over the summer.

The Black Cats are yet to add to their ranks since the transfer window opened and Allardyce is keen to bring in a few new faces before the season begins at the start of next month.

Former Newcastle full-back Davide Santon had been close to completing a move to the Stadium of Light from Inter Milan but the deal collapsed and Allardyce has revealed his frustration, although he still feels he will be able to bring in around four new players this summer.

“There’s no doubt that the one big thing I have to cover is striving hard every single day on the phone with all our recruitment people to find the right deal for the right player,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.

“It was a huge disappointment for me that I was not able to clinch the Davide Santon deal, just a couple of days ago.

“We want to improve the squad with two, three or four players as quickly as we possibly can.

“It’s been a huge demand trying to find those players, but we’ll continue that until we’re successful.

“Hopefully fans will be a little bit patient.

“I have to admit myself that my patience is wearing thin, but we have to keep trying to bring in those three or four players as quickly as possible.”